SWINDON Town head coach Ben Garner has highlighted the importance of the referee’s performance in Tuesday night’s League Two match against Sutton United.

Despite remaining undefeated over the past six games in all competitions, Town have been both on the receiving end and the beneficiaries of some highly inconsistent calls by the officials which have had an obvious effect on results.

And as Town attempt to maintain the club’s unbeaten away record in League Two, Garner believes the performance of Chris Sarginson at Gander Green Lane could play a significant part in the outcome.

Sarginson has taken charge of four League Two matches this year, handing out 17 yellow cards and awarding two penalties while averaging 19.5 fouls per game.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference on Monday, Garner says the referee needs to be consistent and controlled if the two in-form teams can fairly fight for the points.

Garner said: “I think it’s important we have a good referee. I think we need a referee that’s going to have good control of the game.

“I don’t know if the rule has changed, but throw-ins are being taken between 10 and 15 yards from where they go out – it’s just ridiculous. Teams are nicking 10-15 yards and then throwing the ball 30 down the line to gain that territory.

“We need a referee that has good control of the game along with the assistant referees. They need to make sure they’re in charge of it, and make sure there’s some momentum and flow to the game.”

Town travel to South West London on Tuesday night to take on the form team in League Two – only Port Vale have matched Sutton over the past six games with five wins and a solitary defeat.

Garner is aware of the challenge Sutton will present but feels confident his own team can reign supreme with their way of playing.

Garner said: “Every team is different – they have their own strengths – and every team has their weaknesses that we feel we can exploit as well.

“In terms of their style, I think they’ll play in a similar way to how Carlisle did against us earlier in the season.

“There are similarities with other teams, but they’re a unique side which has their own strengths. They’re very well organised, they clearly work hard for each other, and they’ve been very effective in what they do.

“We have to respect that and deal with it, but the challenge for us doing what we believe in doing and what we feel is the best way for us to win the game.”